Who Are We?
The Roots club, a member of the Institute Cultural Council, is dedicated to preserving and promoting the ancient traditions of India through classical and folk dance, music, and regional fine arts. Led by the Institute Secretary of Classical and Folk Arts and a team of senior and junior conveners, the club regularly holds workshops, jam sessions, and other events to foster learning and mastery of these art forms. One of the highlights of the club's calendar is the annual Dandiya Night, an extravagant showcase of classical and folk arts, as well as the student-led Dharohar event. In addition to these major events, the club also regularly holds interaction sessions and jam sessions for each genre.
What Have We Done So Far?
Roots, established 8 years ago, celebrates its anniversary on Independence Day and is committed to fostering a community of enthusiasts for classical and folk arts. The club's flagship event, Dandiya Night, draws large crowds of over 800 people and transforms the campus into a vibrant spectacle of energy and enthusiasm.
Another notable event is Virasat, which features performances by renowned classical and folk artists such as Padma Bhushan and Padma Shree awardees and renowned artistes like Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Smt Sudha Raghunathan, Pandit Rajendra Gangani, and Begum Parveena Sultana. The event is held with the grace and finesse that is signature of the Roots. Dharohar, the Student Classical and Folk Arts Showcase, provides an opportunity for IITB students to showcase their own talents in music and dance. The event is well-attended and features polished performances by students.
Roots has also recently introduced a Duet Classical Music GC, which provides a new platform for improvisation and competition in classical music. The GC is expected to be an exciting addition to the inter-hostel competitive culture and draw more people to participate in classical and folk arts.
The club has also expanded its focus to include regional fine arts and has increased the number of jam sessions and interactive sessions, led by experienced seniors who are Visharads or have more than 15 years of professional practice in their art forms. Despite the challenges of the online setting, the enthusiasm for Indian culture and its hallmark unity in diversity continues to grow steadily among the club members.
What is our Vision?
The long-term goal of Roots is to make classical and folk dance, music and regional fine arts accessible to everyone in the institute, breaking the stereotype that these art forms are only for experienced performers. The club also aims to provide a platform for underrepresented regional art forms, and to shine a spotlight on our legacy arts to keep the tradition alive. In the near future, Roots plans to increase online visibility and the frequency of offline events. With the recent introduction of the Classical Music Duet GC and Inter IIT Classical Vocal Solo, the club aims to bring these art forms to a competitive stage and encourage creative choreography and improvisation in classical music.
Our main objective is to increase participation in smaller events such as workshops and jam sessions, with a focus on providing a unique stage for new enthusiasts to learn these art forms.
Who are we looking for, and what's in it for you?
Roots is a community open to everyone, with no membership required. It brings together individuals who share a passion for advancing all Indian art forms, from Kathak to Kathakali, Khyals to Kritis, Bhangra to Bihu, and Mandala to Madhubani. Regardless of your background or experience in these art forms, you are welcome to join us.
Our team is committed to providing the highest quality of traditional Indian art forms, a true treasure, and invites you to be a part of this wealth by contributing to its growth and taking part in its offerings.
Contact Us
The club is led by the following team members:
- Institute Classical and Folk Arts Secretary: Likitha Reddy, 9390270710
- PG Convener: Debayan Mandal, 7579252680
- Senior Convener: Aakanksha Jain, 9833954246
- UG Convener: Gauri Maheshwari, 6397112479
- UG Convener: Mansi Ahire, 9890030701
- UG Convener: Vijay Balsubramaniam, 7738098751
Please feel free to reach out to any of the above-mentioned individuals for further information or to get involved with the club.